Driver to be prosecuted in girlfriend's death

Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:08 p.m.

The 18-year-old motorist accused in the December wreck that claimed his girlfriend's life will be prosecuted, despite the wishes of the victim's family, authorities said.

Stephen Murphy faces vehicular homicide, among other charges, in the death of 18-year-old Amanda Doyle. She was a passenger in Murphy's truck on Dec. 11 when he lost control on Savanne Road, hit a mailbox and flipped into a water-filled ditch.

Police later determined that Murphy was driving 81 mph along a stretch of road with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. An alcohol breath test revealed that he had more than two times the amount of alcohol allowed for by law for a person over 21, and more than nine times the limit for a person younger than 21.

No trial date has been set for Murphy, who is currently free from jail on a $20,000 bond. If convicted of all charges, he faces more than 30 years in prison.

Amanda Doyle's mother, Lisa Doyle, has said repeatedly that she doesn't want Murphy to serve any prison time. The pair had been dating for about seven months, and Murphy said he intended to marry Amanda.

“Putting him in jail is not going to serve a purpose. I don't think it would be a deterrent,” Lisa said. “Stephen is like a brother to my son. If they put him in jail, my son is losing everybody else, and he is helping him deal with the loss of his sister.”

First Assistant District Attorney Carlos Lazarus said his office will pursue the charges.

“In this case, even though some of the family and friends feel he has suffered enough, the interest to the public trumps any interest the family members have expressed in regards to leniency or nonprosecution,” Lazarus said.

Lazarus, who said he had not received Murphy's file as of Friday afternoon, added that DWI cases are one of the District Attorney's Office's highest priority.

Stephen and his father, Randy Murphy, blame the wreck on a passing car that nearly sideswiped Stephen's truck, which he swerved to avoid. The pair also claim that Stephen's passenger-side rear tire came off the car, making the crash unavoidable.

State Police, however, attribute the crash to Murphy being “a highly-intoxicated driver traveling at a high rate of speed,” the report says. Another car passed Stephen's 11 seconds before the crash, but there's no evidence it played a factor.

The crash report also says Stephen, Amanda and other teens were at the home of Shayna Boudreaux of Houma prior to the crash. Stephen allegedly told police that Boudreaux provided him and his girlfriend with alcohol.

Boudreaux, interviewed with her attorney present, has denied providing the alcohol and said neither teen appeared intoxicated when they left her home. Other teens interviewed said they didn't see Stephen drink any alcohol at the party.

Boudreaux was not charged with a crime because police were not able to prove Stephen's allegation, the report says.

“However, there is no dispute alcoholic beverages were present at the party,” the report says.

Staff Writer Eric Heisig can be reached at 857-2202 or eric.heisig@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @TerrebonneCrime.

<p>The 18-year-old motorist accused in the December wreck that claimed his girlfriend's life will be prosecuted, despite the wishes of the victim's family, authorities said.</p><p>Stephen Murphy faces vehicular homicide, among other charges, in the death of 18-year-old Amanda Doyle. She was a passenger in Murphy's truck on Dec. 11 when he lost control on Savanne Road, hit a mailbox and flipped into a water-filled ditch.</p><p>Police later determined that Murphy was driving 81 mph along a stretch of road with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. An alcohol breath test revealed that he had more than two times the amount of alcohol allowed for by law for a person over 21, and more than nine times the limit for a person younger than 21.</p><p>No trial date has been set for Murphy, who is currently free from jail on a $20,000 bond. If convicted of all charges, he faces more than 30 years in prison.</p><p>Amanda Doyle's mother, Lisa Doyle, has said repeatedly that she doesn't want Murphy to serve any prison time. The pair had been dating for about seven months, and Murphy said he intended to marry Amanda.</p><p>“Putting him in jail is not going to serve a purpose. I don't think it would be a deterrent,” Lisa said. “Stephen is like a brother to my son. If they put him in jail, my son is losing everybody else, and he is helping him deal with the loss of his sister.”</p><p>First Assistant District Attorney Carlos Lazarus said his office will pursue the charges.</p><p>“In this case, even though some of the family and friends feel he has suffered enough, the interest to the public trumps any interest the family members have expressed in regards to leniency or nonprosecution,” Lazarus said.</p><p>Lazarus, who said he had not received Murphy's file as of Friday afternoon, added that DWI cases are one of the District Attorney's Office's highest priority.</p><p>Stephen and his father, Randy Murphy, blame the wreck on a passing car that nearly sideswiped Stephen's truck, which he swerved to avoid. The pair also claim that Stephen's passenger-side rear tire came off the car, making the crash unavoidable.</p><p>State Police, however, attribute the crash to Murphy being “a highly-intoxicated driver traveling at a high rate of speed,” the report says. Another car passed Stephen's 11 seconds before the crash, but there's no evidence it played a factor.</p><p>The crash report also says Stephen, Amanda and other teens were at the home of Shayna Boudreaux of Houma prior to the crash. Stephen allegedly told police that Boudreaux provided him and his girlfriend with alcohol.</p><p>Boudreaux, interviewed with her attorney present, has denied providing the alcohol and said neither teen appeared intoxicated when they left her home. Other teens interviewed said they didn't see Stephen drink any alcohol at the party.</p><p>Boudreaux was not charged with a crime because police were not able to prove Stephen's allegation, the report says. </p><p>“However, there is no dispute alcoholic beverages were present at the party,” the report says.</p><p><i>Staff Writer Eric Heisig can be reached at 857-2202 or eric.heisig@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @TerrebonneCrime.</i></p>